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Fall 2008 Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Vol. 69, No. 2 Massachusetts Archaeological Society

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This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VOLUME 69 (2) Fall 2008

CONTENTS:

Editor's Note 57

On the Archaeology of Stone Piles and a Late Archaic Date from Site SK 155, RI . .Alan Leveillee and Mark Lance 58

Thunderbirds in Southeast MA .William B. Taylor 64

A Raw Material Cache in Northfield, MA Christopher L. Donta 68

Additional PaleoIndian Sites and Finds in Southeast MA James W Bradley andJeffBoudreau 71

Contributors 82

THE MASSACHUSETIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Inc. P. O. Box 700, Middleborough, Massachusetts 02346-0700 THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Robbins Museum of Archaeology Web Site address: www.massarchaeology.org phone: (508) 947-9005 email: [email protected]

Officers: Tonya Largy, 59 Moore Road, Wayland, MA 01778 President Frederica Dimmick, 10 Sassamon Road, Natick, MA 01778 Vice President Susan Jacobucci, 678 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Scituate, MA 02066 Clerk Edwin C. Ballard, 26 Heritage Road, Rehoboth, MA 02769 Treasurer Eugene Winter, 54 Trull Lane, Lowell, MA 01852 Museum Coordinator James W. Bradley, 55 Park Street, Charlestown, MA 02129 Bulletin Editor Curtiss Hoffman, 58 Hilldale Road, Ashland, MA 01721 Corresponding Secretary Michael Volmar, Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, MA Past President

Trustees: Term Expires Janet M. Bessette, 36 Church Street, Gilbertville, MA 01031 October 2008 Margo Muhl Davis, 81 Richards Avenue, N. Attleboro, MA 02760 October 2010 Timothy Fohl, 681 South Street, Carlisle, MA 01741 October 2010 Philip Graham, 13 Liberty Lane, Norwood, MA 02062 October 2008 Dan Lorraine, 63 Cranberry Terrace, Cranston, RI 02828 October 2009 Thomas Lux, 38 Somerset Avenue, Riverside, RI 02915 October 2008 Richard Lynch, 12 Greenbrier Road, Greenville, RI 02828 October 2008 Kevin Quackenbush,S Daniel Drive, Middleborough, MA 02346 October 2009 John Rempelakis, 7 Fairview Farm Road, Haverhill, MA 01832 October 2010 Fred Robinson, 6 Christopher Drive, Greenville, RI 02828 October 2009 Bruce R. Rusch, 97 Brimstone Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776 October 2009 Alan F. Smith, 156 Ararat Street, Worcester, MA 01606 October 2008 William Taylor, 108 Vernon Street, Middleboro, MA 02346 October 2010

Judith Zeitlin, Dept. Anthropology, UMass, Boston, MA 02125 MAS Representative on the MHC Richard Lynch, 12 Greenbrier Road, Greenville, Rl 02828 Newsletter Editor Curtiss Hoffman, 58 Hilldale Road, Ashland, MA 01721 Membership Director Jeff Boudreau, 38 Albert Ray Drive, Ashland, MA 01721 Photographer Kathryn M. Fairbanks, 145 Aldrich Street, Roslindale, MA 02131 Librarian Laurie Stundis, 51 Country Road, Plymouth, MA 02367 Administrative Assistant Mary Concannon, 2 Daniel Circle, Plymouth, MA 02367 Education Coordinator Tom Largy, 59 Moore Road, Wayland, MA 01778 WebMaster

The BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETYis published semi­ annually, with a Spring issue, Number I, and a Fall issue, Number 2. Individual memberships in the Society that include receiving the Bulletin are $30. For information on institutional subscriptions and other special rates for membership, as well as requests for back issues of the Bulletin, please visit the web site or contact the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, p.o. Box 700, Middleborough, MA 02346 (508-947-9005). Publication in the Bulletin is a privilege of membership. Manuscripts and other communications may be sent to the editor-elect Curtiss Hoffman, Dept. of Anthropology, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA 02325 or emailed to [email protected].

Printed by Kendall Press, One Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02141 This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2011 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 57

Editor's Note

With this issue, we return to the usual eclectic mix of articles that frequently characterizes the Bulletin. Alan Leveillee and Mark Lance start off with an important discussion on what stone piles, radiocarbon dates and diagnostic artifacts do, and do not, tell us. Bill Taylor follows with a discussion of thunderbird representations on artifacts and as petroglyphs, and provides several new examples from Southeastern Massachusetts. Chris Donta's article describes a recently discovered cache of preforms made from Jefferson rhyolite in the Connecticut River Valley and discusses the possibility that these may be of PaleoIndian origin. Finally, Jeff Boudreau and I continue our reporting of PaleoIndian sites and isolated finds, this time with a focus on Southeast Massachusetts.

This issue also marks the end of my tenure as Bulletin editor. It has been a great privilege and pleasure to work with many friends and colleagues over the past six years, and to see so many good articles find their place in the published literature. These have ranged from CRM site reports to synopses of doctoral dissertations, from the evaluation of old collections to thoughtful commentary on current topics. All are part of the healthy and ongoing effort to understand Massachusetts rich archaeological heritage and to share it with a broad audience. My sincere thanks go to all those who have contributed articles, helped get the Bulletin proofed and mailed, and to those who read and used it. I wish my editorial successor, Dr. Curtiss Hoffman, the same good luck I have had in keeping the Bulletin an active and important part of New England archaeology.

James W. Bradley This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2011 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 58 Leveillee and Lance: Stone Piles from Site SK 155 Stone Piles and a Late Archaic Date from Site SK 155, Rhode Island

Alan Leveillee and Mark Lance

Introduction The SK 155 Site

There exists at present a significant polarity of The Native American SK155 archaeological site perspective regarding the origins, cultural and was discovered in 2006 when archaeologists of temporal affiliations, and functions of stone The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. (PAL) pile features across Northeastern United States. conducted a cultural resource management The issue is being discussed and debated survey along a utility line bisecting among a variety of interested parties including approximately 26 miles of near-interior Native Americans (Harris et al 2005; USET southern Rhode Island. This is a landscape that 2002), applied anthropologists (Leveillee 1997a, was Narragansett Indian Country for a 1997b, 1998, 2001), and a range of other thousand years prior to European settlement. advocates. All have an investment in, and Some of it still is. interpretations of, these culturally constructed piles of stone. In the interest of contributing to After the initial discovery that indicated the ongoing dialogue through empirical data, ancestors of today's Narrgansetts occupied the and with the hope that those data will not be margins of the Great Swamp (Figure I), we overly generalized, we offer the following recommended that the SK 155 Site be subject to summary of archaeological investigations of a archaeological evaluation to determine its Native American site within the Great Swamp eligibility for listing on the National Register of in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Historic Places. The site examination took place

Figure 1. The Great Swamp, South Kingston, RI (source USGS). BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 59

~;tl. pieces of argillite chipping debris as well.

Four (l-x-lm) excavation units / were placed within SK 155. ri ~ EDI was centered on the Phase + i +,,", I SK155 test pit, wherein a / + W't,~ hearth feature was initially / noted. ED2 was placed ~./ adjacent to Array 1-E test pit 0- from the Phase I(c) survey; y which had the highest count of

KEY: ArcharoloJic:ll T"stln3 argillite chipping debris among 50)( SOcrn Test Pit: o with no culCurcl mcterlof positive pits. The 1-x-lm EDI • with cultural matff"ia1 BL! 0 hrfm Excavotlon Urnt further exposed the hearth feature (Feature I), and a large

i. stone that may have been a part of a hearth ring. The feature .,,','ons I ModtFcations I Sourc. I Dcu I appeared at the Apz and Bl PIl.l.. di fOr~ ro- tS·G7 ~ soorCf'! PAl. ! 1)4.19·01 interface (approximately 20 Tk baw inforl'l'latlOl'l cotltaiMo'e pu~oses only. PAl makl!'S no wa....ant~. tit~ .><9rencd ar im~i~, rq,lrdioB tnt- f~~ or em), surrounded by a halo of suitabillty 01 t..'m mao for 3!lY other PUl'POW thin:o depict the locztion I .nd!cr rll!'StA.ts QI cultural ~Cf1 i.'lW'$t1satior$ conductN by PAl. reddish colored burnt B soil that extended northwesterly Figure 2. The SK 155 Site Examination Testing Grid. and northeasterly beyond the limits of the unit. EDI in the summer and fall of 2007 (Banister et al. produced twelve pieces of argillite chipping 2007). debris, one argillite scraper, and one fragment of quartz shatter (fire-cracked), in the plow Forty-nine test pits were excavated across the zone. SK 155 Site, of which thirty-three were placed on the 5 meter (m) site examination grid (Figure Approximately 30cm to the north of EDl, a 2). The remaining test pits were judgmentally granite boulder protruded from the ground placed on the axis of the transmission line to surface. It was decided to open two additional provide more precise coverage of the possible units, ED3 and ED4, to cover the projected locations of planned new transmission line northwesterly and northeasterly extent of the poles. Ten of the test pits (including three of the hearth, and to connect to the large boulder that judgmental test pits) contained cultural the feature may have been set against. As a materials, with argillite chipping debris result, ED3 was an odd size, l.4-x-O.8 m, in dominating the small assemblage. Test pit NI00 order to more effectively cover the area of the E85 yielded a quartzite tool fragment. It is a projected hearth feature and the gap to the blade section that was broken and then re-used boulder (Figure 3, next page). ED4 was l-x-lm, as a scraper. The scraper was recovered in a less a 5 em corner where it intersected with disturbed vertical context and therefore may EDl. ED3 indicated the hearth feature did not have traveled from its original or primary extend far to the northwest. In total, fourteen deposition. Judgmental test pit OTP) 2 had one argillite and three quartz flakes (chipping piece of chipping debris of undetermined debris) were recovered in ED3. ED4, however, material and one argillite preform fragment, showed that Feature 1 conformed to the shape and JTP 7 yielded one piece of quartz chipping of the boulder along its eastern edge. The debris. Each of these test pits yielded several hearth feature fill extended, in plan, into the 60 Leveillee and Lance: Stone Piles from Site SK ISS EU2 contained no evidence of features. However, it did produce the largest amount of chipping debris; ninety-eight pieces of argillite, four quartzite, and one rhyolite. Some of the argillite appeared to have been subjected to burning, either having been heat­ treated or discarded into a fire. EU2 also yielded an argillite tool blank and one preform from 20-30 cmbd in the Apz. An Attleboro Red Felsite Neville projectile point (Figure 5, next page) and a granetic abrader were recovered from between 30-40 cmbd, well into the B subsoils. One piece of calcined bone, too small to Figure 3. Excavation units adjacent to the glacial boulder. identify further, was also among the Feature 1 is in the floor of the unit, center-right, in photo. EU2 assemblage. northern wall of EU4. In addition, five more The total lithic assemblage for the SK 155 Site rocks were found ranging from between 25 to was 234 pieces of chipping debris, of which 219 50 em away from the large boulder, appearing were argillite, thirteen quartz, and two rhyolite. to form a wide arc around the eastern half of There were eight tools recovered; two argillite the boulder. The bases of these rocks are in B blanks, one argillite scraper, one argillite soil, and marked the edge of the burnt B soil of preform, one argillite biface, one quartzite Feature 1 fill. EU4 produced seventy-eight biface, one granitic abrader, one Attleboro Red pieces of chipping debris; four quartz, one Felsite Neville projectile point and one quartz rhyolite, and seventy-three argillite flakes. An biface fragment. There were fifty-five pieces of argillite bifacially flaked blank was recovered chipping debris in the subsoil, along with the between 10 and 20 em below datum (cmbd), a Neville point. Charcoal samples were taken quartz biface from 10-20 cmbd, and five fire­ from each of the units. cracked rocks were also found throughout the unit, the depth of which terminated just beyond The SK155 Site contains two features. Feature I, a depth of 60 em. the hearth, is set between a large boulder (1.4 m diameter) and a line of stones. Associated During final clearing of the boulder that cultural material included chipping debris and Feature 1 was situated around, some cobbles bifacial-flaked tool fragments. A fragment of were noted on the surface by Deputy charcoal was submitted for radiocarbon (AMS) Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic dating, yielding an age for the feature of 4340 ± Preservation Officer (DTHPO) Doug Harris. 40 years BP (Beta-233667). The duff was cleared over this area to reveal a nearly complete ring of intentionally laid Feature 2 is the ring of stones placed upon the cobbles on the top of the boulder (Figure 4). same glacial boulder that is proximal to Feature The only cultural material noted during 1. The piled stones that constitute Feature 2 clearing was two pieces of argillite chipping were near the surface, surrounded by and debris. This circle of cobbles was designated within a plowed soil stratum. It is an Feature 2. The cobbles are unmodified, angular apparently intentional grouping of stones, all of and rounded, and of differing raw materials which are too small to have been set aside (granite, schist). during field clearing or plowing. Narragansett BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 61 Tribal representatives in the field interpreted the occupation in the Middle Archaic Period, but stone cluster feature as ceremonial, based upon may also reflect Late Archaic collection and its locational attributes in relation to the swamp reuse of the artifact. Non-local lithics (hornfels, and the alignment of several of the perimeter rhyolite) suggest another Native American re­ rocks lining the feature fill, generally toward the occupation into the Woodland Period. Site southwest. The southwest being significant in activity represented by the assemblage includes Narragansett oral tradition as the location of a concentrated focus on stone tool maintenance, Cautantowwit's House, the place of spiritual hunting, and collecting. The site is situated origin of the Tribe, and the place to which the topographically in an ideal location for spirits of the dead return (Simmons 1986). observation of the swamp margins and lower elevations. Based upon the concentrated foci of It is important to point out that, while it may be deposits and limited features, we believe the reasonable to speculate that Feature 2 and site was created during short-duration Feature 1 are related spatially (horizontally if occupations, likely measured in hours rather not stratigraphically), they are unlikely to be than days. As noted above, the site may also related chronologically. The vertical separation have been occupied during the Middle Archaic between the [dated] hearth in intact subsoils, and Woodland periods. Also noted is the and the [undated] ring of stones atop the glacial Narragansett Indian DTHPO's interpretation boulder within and surrounded by plowzone that Feature 1 reflects ceremonial importance, topsoils, raises serious doubt about shared marking a relationship between the swamp temporality. While one might argue that the ecosystem and the site's landscape and tvvo features could hypothetically have been topographic aspect orientation to the southwest, constructed during the same site occupation, the towards Cautantowwit's House. disparity in their verticality, especially on a site with evidence for multiple temporal Interpretations and Actions components, supports that they result from depositional events separated by many years. The SK 155 Site is a concentrated deposit of low Those who would use the SK 155 Site as a case to medium density lithics and two features that for the confirmation that constructed stone piles are proximal to one another. One of the features have been definitively demonstrated to be ceremonial and that they can now be dated as early as 4,340 years ago, would be interpreting the data beyond reasonable limits. It is difficult to sustain a scenario where the Feature 2 ring could remain intact throughout periods of plowing. It is more likely that the stones atop the boulder postdate the plowing episodes. The stones of Feature 2 appear to drape over the boulder top; a position difficult to maintain (for several thousand years) if the ground surface was as low as the adjacent hearth the date from Feature 1 indicates (see Figure 4).

The SK 155 Site can be attributed to the Late Archaic Period, based on the Feature 1 radiocarbon date of 4340 ± 40 years BP (Beta-233667). The Attleboro Red Felsite Neville projectile point might indicate Figure 4. Stones (Feature 2) placed atop the glacial boulder on the SK 155 site. 62 Leveillee and Lance: Stone Piles from Site SK 155 is not definitive, being represented by a single projectile point. The Attleboro Red Felsite Neville point is the only artifact of this material recovered from SK155. It may reflect a brief occupation during the Middle Archaic, but could also have resulted from later occupants (Late Archaic) incorporating earlier artifacts into their assemblages.

A small group of people built a fire in the shelter of the boulder in this location, where it provided a vantage point over the swamp below sometime during the Late Archaic. Today, the archaeological evidence of this limited occupation is evidenced by diagnostic Small Stemmed Tradition tools and through Figure 5. Neville point of Attleboro red felsite radiocarbon dating of charcoal from within the hearth, which dates to 4,340±40 years B.P. This is a hearth. It is set between a large boulder site is contemporaneous, and similar to, other that is visible above and extends beneath the Late Archaic sites in the region. Recovery of surface to a depth of apprC?ximately 1 m. hornfels chipping debris may indicate a brief Several stones outline the perimeter of the occupation during the Woodland Period. feature, at approximately 40 cm below the surface (Figure 3). The second feature is a ring The SK155 Site provides supportive data related of stones placed on the top of the large glacial to the locational and chronological use of small, boulder, beside which the Late Archaic hearth limited-duration campsites along the near had been built (Figure 4). interior Pawcatuck River drainage of southern Rhode Island. Previous research demonstrates The SK155 Site is situated topographically in that Late Archaic exploitation of this drainage an ideal location for observation of the was relatively extensive with short duration swamp's margins and lower elevations. It was campsites spread in high density across the possibly occupied during the Middle Archaic, region (George et al. 1993; Waller and Leveillee Late Archaic, and Woodland periods. The 2002). The SK155 Site contributes to refinements identified features on the site are of concern to of the Late Archaic settlement and subsistence the Narragansett Indian DTHPO, who has model, and in doing so has made a contribution indicated that they may reflect ceremonial to this research topic. activity marking a relationship between the swamp ecosystem and the direction, to the The site's principal importance may also be as a southwest, where tribal oral tradition places place of past Native American ceremony, as Cautantowwit's House. suggested by on-site representatives of the NITHPO. The Narragansett Indian peoples are The SK155 material culture is spatially linked to the Great Swamp physically and concentrated and of relatively low density. It spiritually, as indicated by oral tradition and the was created as a result of short-duration use by written historic record of the region. As such hunters and collectors who targeted the the swamp and its margins are of cultural resources of the greater swamp ecosystem. It importance to the Tribe. The importance of the is possible that hunting parties in the Middle archaeological deposits and the boulder-related Archaic Period and again during the Late features (Features 1 and 2) has been Archaic Period maintained their hunting kits at acknowledged. Project proponents redesigned this location. The Middle Archaic occupation construction to take place outside of tl1e BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 63 concentrated site area in consultation with the therein) is of historic and cultural significance to DTHPO. PAL archaeologists and Narragansett the Tribe and pending future study could tribal representatives monitored subsequent potentially constitute a Traditional Cultural construction and there was concurrence that the Property. area of concern to the Tribe is being avoided and preserved in place. Any future We support preservation of Features 1 and 2 of improvements in proximity to the glacial the SK 155 Site because of their importance to boulder will take into consideration the the Narragansett Indian Tribe as a perceived continuing interests of the Narragansett Indian ceremonial site and for their potential to Tribe as a possible area of past ceremonial contribute to a consideration of the larger Great activity. Swamp as a Narragansett Indian multi­ component archaeological element of a PAL has recommend that the boulder and Traditional Cultural Property. We would cobble remnants of Features 1 and 2, as however caution against using the SK 155 data represented by the existing stones left in-situ, be as precedent for ceremonial stone piles considered significant elements of the site and extending back into the Late Archaic. As preserved in place as a location of interest and argued in this article, any such interpretation concern to the Narragansett Indian Tribe. The would exceed any reasonable use of the larger Great Swamp (or specific portions archaeological evidence.

References

Banister, Jennifer, Mark Lance, and Alan Leveillee 2007 Phase II Archaeological Site Examination Narragansett Electric Company, Southern Rhode Island Transmission Project, Hunt River Site (RI 2402), Tower Hill Site (RI 2403), Pole 176/177 Site (RI 2404), SK 155 Site (RI 2405), B. Watson Farmstead Site (RI 2409), T.P Brayman Farmstead Site (RI 2410), J.M.Thomas/C.H. Rose Site. East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Rhode Island. PAL Report No. 1736.02. Submitted to National Grid Company, Westborough, MA. George, David, Brian Jones, and Ross Harper 1993 Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Report prepared for the Town of South Kingstown, Public Archaeology Survey Team, Inc., Storrs, CT. Harris, Doug, Curtiss Hoffman, Peter Waksman, and Timothy Fohl 2005 Survey Report of Indian Ceremonial Structures on Benfield Parcel "A" Property in Carlisle, Massachusetts. Document prepared for the Town of Carlisle, MA. Leveillee, Alan 1997a When Worlds Collide: Archaeology in the New Age- The Conant Parcel Stone Piles. Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Sodety 58 (l): 24-30. 1997b Archaeological Investigations of Stone Pile Features within the Orchard Valley Estates Subdivision, Cranston, Rhode Island. Bulletin ofthe Massachusetts Archaeological Sodety 59 (1): 15-24. 2001 Public Archaeology, The New Age, and Local Truths. Bulletin of the MassadlUsetts Ardlaeological Sodety 62 (1):23-28. Simmons, William S. 1986 Spirit of the New England Tribes, Indian History and Folklore, 1620-1984. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) 2001 Resolution No. USET 2003:022 Sacred Landscape Within Commonwealth of Massachusetts. USET Annual Board Meeting. October 31, 2002, Uncasville, CT. Waller, Joseph N., Jr., and Alan Leveillee 2001 Archaic Period Land Use and Settlement in the Pawcatuck River Watershed of South-Central Rhode Island. NortheastAnthropology. No. 63: 71-82. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2011 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 64 Taylor: Thunderbirds in Southeast MA Thunderbirds in Southeast Massachusetts

William B. Taylor

Introduction Machias Bay in Maine (Hedden 1989). While the well-known Dighton Rock petroglyph, In the cosmology of Algonquian peoples, the located on the eastern bank of the Taunton River stratum above the earth is perceived as the near Assonet Neck, has a wide variety of motifs, home of Thunderbirds, sacred and powerful no obvious thunderbirds are included beings. These mythical sky creatures are said (Willoughby 1935:168, Figure 93). In addition to to flash lightning from their beaks and eyes, the depictions of thunderbirds on large rocks and produce thunderclaps with the flapping of that appear to have been markers on the their wings (Time Life 1992). Supernatural landscape, small portable versions also have beings, they are often portrayed as part bird been found. A good example is the fragmentary and part man or, sometimes, as a human figure thunderbird scratched on a piece of slate and with a sharp beak or wings (Bragdon 1996). found near Blue Hill Bay in Maine (Hedden Although not common, depictions of 1991). These smaller petroglyphs are of thunderbirds occur across New England both particular interest to me since they are similar to on artifacts and as petroglyphs. Four examples the one described below. from Southeast Massachusetts are discussed. Examples from Southeast MA Background The Hammond Petroglyph This artifact came Artifacts with thunderbirds scratched, or from the Frank Hammond collection. incised, on them first appear during the Early Hammond lived in Taunton and collected from Woodland Period. Willoughby illustrated a many sites along the Taunton River during the blocked end tubular pipe with an incised early 1900s between the Three Mile River and thunderbird from Swanton, Vermont (1935:93, Tiverton, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, we do Figure 50a). Thunderbirds also occur on Figure 1. The Hammond petroglyph ceramic pottery, suggesting that this motif was used over a long period of time. Bouck and Richardson illustrate two examples, one from Martha's Vineyard and another from Long Island (2007:16-17). Most dramatic are the copper thunderbirds that have been found on Historic Period sites. Best known is the large example found at Amoskeag Falls in Manchester, New Hampshire. Willoughby illustrates this piece (1935:242, Figure 130) as do Bouck and Richardson, who discuss other similar examples (2007:17).

Thunderbirds also occur as petroglyphs, images cut or pecked into rock ledge, glacial erratics or small, portable stones. Thunderbird petroglyphs have been reported across New England with examples from near Brattleboro, Vermont (Willoughby 1935:169, Figure 94) to

Copyright © 2008 William B. Taylor BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 65 not know exactly where he found this particular inches long and 1.75 wide and, unlike the Locus piece. It is fragment of red brown slate with a #3 example, is worked on nearly every surface. single perforation and delicately incised The obverse has a thunderbird-like figure petroglyphs on each side. The piece is pecked deeply into its surface. This figure faces somewhat irregular in shape - 4.25 inches long, left and also has a triangular 'face' and wings 2.25 inches wide and 3/16 inch thick. On the (Figure 2, right). The figure is 1.5 inches high obverse is a thunderbird figure oriented and 7/8 of the inch wide. The reverse side has vertically and facing left (Figure 1). The figure three longitudinal grooves, possibly for itself is 2 and 1/16 of an inch high and 1 and 3/ sharpening bone tools. The left side of the 16 of an inch wide across the wings. This cobbles has a series of seven narrow grooves, thunderbird image is remarkably similar to that often called 'tally marks', while the right side illustrated by Willoughby on the tubular pipe had three shallow grooves. Both ends have from Swanton. The reverse side has a been deeply pecked. This cobble is cracked, but horizontal, ladder-like motif with splayed sides. not broken, and appears to have been exposed This may be a fragment of what had been a to high heat. It does not have a catalog number. larger thunderbird depiction. It is very similar Robbins provides some additional information to the thunderbirds scratched onto ceramic on these two artifacts (1959:50 and Figure 14; sherds illustrated by Bouck and Richardson. 1980:112).

The Wapanucket Petroglyphs. Two small The Nemasket Thunderbird. In 2007, a hiker petroglyphs with thunderbirds, or closely noticed a series of marks on a large granite related figures, have been recovered from the boulder overlooking the Nemasket River in Wapanucket site in Middleborough. Located Lakeville. This glacial erratic is roughly ten feet along the northern shore of Lake long and five feet high (Figure 3, next page). Assawompsett, this large and complex site has On the east side, the thunderbird-like figure, produced evidence for a Native presence from similar to that found at Locus #6, has been cut PaleoIndian to Historic times. The MAS conducted extensive excavations at eight different loci on this site between the 1950s through the early 1980s. The results are best summarized in Maurice Robbins' monumental report on Wapanucket (Robbins 1980).

Small petroglyphs were recovered from two areas of the site. One is a smooth cobble recovered from Locus #3 that measures roughly 4 inches long by 2 inches wide. It is numbered '4957'and has a thunderbird-like figure pecked into the obverse side (Figure 2, left). This figure faces right and has a triangular 'face'and wings. The figure is 2 inches high and 1 and 3/8 inches across the wings. The reverse side is unmarked. Unfortunately, no additional information is available as to where, specifically, this artifact was found at Locus #3.

The second small petroglyph from Wapanucket was recovered from Locus #6. It was found near, but apparently not associated with, Figure 2. Left side, small petroglyph from Locus cremation feature #3. This oval cobble is 3.75 #3, Wapanucket site. Right side, small petroglyph from Locus #6, Wapanucket site. 66 Taylor: Thunderbirds in Southeast MA deeply into the rock (Figure 4). Another culture in New England, but its strong ties to petroglyph, a cross within a circle, is located on specific places of the landscape as well. the north side (Figure 5). On the opposite Although depictions of thunderbirds are rare, (south) side of this boulder, a section of stone more are being discovered as older collections roughly 15 inches by 30 inches was removed at are studied and as hikers and hunters locate some point in the past. A series of star drill examples still in place on the land. I hope this holes, now covered with moss and lichens, article will inspire other people to report suggest that originally there may have been thunderbird petroglyphs that come to their additional figures carved into this boulder, attention so that these important markers can be ones removed by a previous collector. protected and preserved.

Conclusion Acknowledgements

Thunderbird petroglyphs help to document, My thanks to Ken Alves for his help and to Jeff not only the spiritual side of Native American Boudreau, as always, for his fine photography. Figure 3. The Nemasket petroglyph rock.

References Bragdon, KatWeen J. 1996 Native People ofSouthem New England, 1500-1650. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK. Robbins, Maurice 1959 Wapanucket No.6. An Archaic Village in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Publication of the Cohannet Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Attleboro, MA. 1980 Wapanucket, An ArchaeologicalReport. Massachusetts Archaeological Society. Attleboro, MA. TIme Life Books 1992 The Spirit World. The Time Book Company, Inc. Alexandra, VA. Willoughby, Charles C. 1935 Antiquities ofthe New England Indians. Published by the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University. The Cosmos Press, Cambridge, MA. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 67

Figure 4. The Nemasket thunderbird

Figure 5. The Nemasket circle This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2011 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 68 Donta: A Raw Material Cache A Raw Material Cache in Northfield, Massachusetts

Christopher L. Donta

Introduction the total eighty-three units excavated, with a concentration located in a 100 m long area that Over the past 15 years, the University of included twenty-three of the thirty-three Massachusetts at Amherst has conducted positive units. A total of 180 artifacts were several archaeological surveys along the banks collected from the excavations, along with of the Connecticut River in Northfield and Gill another twenty-two artifacts from the base of (Donta and Mulholland 1997; Donta 2005; the erosion front at the water line, below the site Donta and Barker 2006). These surveys build of the excavations. on earlier reconnaissance work by UMass (Dincauze and Eldridge 1984; Holmes et al. The artifacts collected consist of 115 lithic flakes, 1991). Recent surveys have been conducted in fifty-six pieces of fire-cracked rock, seven sherds conjunction with work by FirstLight Power and of pottery, one ground stone adze fragment, one its predecessor Northeast Utilities to halt pecked cobble, one grooved maul, one long erosion along on the banks of the river. During pestle, one piece of ground slate, and nineteen these surveys, twenty-eight areas of Native large rhyolite rough preforms. The flakes are American activity have been documented along primarily rhyolite, consisting of a banded and a 13 km (8 mile) length of the river, between the speckled tan to maroon red material, French King bridge and the Vermont border. representing 57% of the debitage found at the Large portions of the riverbank in this section site. Quartz represents 26% of the flakes, have not yet been surveyed. While additional followed by chert (8%), quartzite (5%), other details of these surveys will be forthcoming, rhyolites (3%), and one piece of jasper. this paper presents a brief description of one particularly interesting find. Of greatest interest was a cache of roughly worked rhyolite preforms found in a single test Durkee's Landing Ravine (19-FR-347) pit (Figure 1, next page). All of the preforms were made of the same tan banded and The Durkee's Landing Ravine site is located in speckled material that was found in twelve the southern part of Northfield, on the east other test units across the site and on the beach. bank of the Connecticut River. The riverbank The top of the cache was found at 36 cm below in the site area is a wooded strip of land the ground surface, in the fourth of a series of bounded on the north side by a small perennial flood deposits. All nineteen of the artifacts stream. The site was first identified in 1990 as were found in the northwest comer of a 50 x 50 part of an initial reconnaissance survey of the cm unit, from 36 cm below the surface to a riverbanks between Montague and Vernon, bottom depth of 47 em. The cache occupied an Vermont. Members of the Norwottuck chapter area measuring 17 x 23 em. The test pit also of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society contained five pieces of fire-cracked rock and report finding yellow jasper flakes and pottery one possible hammerstone. (Holmes et al. 1991: 72). The nineteen artifacts in the cache range from During survey work in 2000, this site was large, only slightly retouched flakes, to tested with seventy-seven shovel test pits and bifacially worked preforms (Figure 2, next six 1 by 1 m units (Donta 2005). Native page). The largest artifact measures 17.5 em in American artifacts were found in thirty-three of length, 9.9 cm in width, and is 2.4 cm thick.

Copyright © 2008 Christopher L. Donta BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 69 thought to originate from the Jefferson till source, rather than the similar Mt. Jasper source (Richard Boisvert, personal com­ munication, 2008).

Interpretations

The presence of a few ceramic sherds indicates a Woodland period occupation at the site, although additional earlier components may also be present. The depths of the artifacts from the cache and surrounding test pits show no clear separation between the ceramic sherds (20­ 50 em below the ground surface), and the Jefferson rhyolite (10-70 em), although the rhyolite was concentrated slightly lower (30­ 50 em) than the pottery.

Based on the artifact types and their distributions, it appears that the rhyolite was brought along the river from its source, and left at this location after some of the material had been worked. No finished tools of this rhyolite were found made, and no features were identified at the site. At this point, interpretations of site function must be limited to some degree of lithic reduction along a transportation corridor, with indications of at least some late period Figure 1. Middle portion of the cache in situ. domestic activity.

There are two other artifacts over 10 em in The Durkee's Landing Ravine site is only one length, while the smallest is 6.5 em in length. of several known Native American sites from Many of the pieces show numerous flake scars. this immediate area. Directly across the river, a None of the flaked edges are recent and all distance of approximately 220 m, is site 19-FR­ exhibit a tan to orangish rind. 300. This site has produced pottery sherds, a large quartz triangular projectile point and A sample of the banded and speckled material slate scraper, along with lithic debitage was sent to Dr. Barbara Calogero for geological (Holmes et al. 1991: 71). Testing by UMass in analysis. She determined that it was a very 2005 produced over 200 sherds of pottery, two hard rhyolite with some feldspar phenocrysts, triangular projectile points and numerous light olive gray in color, weathered to a features, including hearths, living surfaces and grayish-orange outer rind (B. Calogero, at least one pit. Several distinct areas of artifact personal communication, 2002). This material concentration were found, with site deposits is visually identical to rhyolite from the extending over a distance of approximately 500 Jefferson till source of northern New m. Additional site designations, including 19­ Hampshire (Pollock et al. 2008). Based on a FR-301 and 19-FR-303, encompass portions of visual inspection of the nature and distribution this large plain, and include much of the of spherules and banding, the cache material is riverbank further to the north, while the east 70 Donta: A Raw Material Cache

B Figure 2. Five of the nineteen preforms in STP #63: A- ID 17,42 ern bs; B- ID 6, 38 ern bs; C- ID 16, 43 ern bs; D - ID 13,41 ern bs; and E- ID 15,41 em bs.

preforms serves as one illustration of the long-distance movement of materials along this corridor. Sites in the vicinity show a large Woodland Period presence, with indications of activity in the preceding Archaic and Paleoindian periods at a much lower rate of visibility. Although the timing of the cache deposition is not certain, the raw material may indicate a date very early in the human occupation of New England. Durkee's Landing Ravine lies less than 4 km upstream from the Turners Falls site (Binzen 2005), with the DEDIC site 18 km to the southwest, and the Whipple site (Curran 1984) situated approximately o 2in 34 km to the northeast. -~~PI1== o 2 4cm Hopefully, additional research on and dating of sites along the Connecticut bank north of Durkee's Landing includes the River in Northfield and Gill will provide more Fowler's Woods site (19-FR-1). Diagnostic data on the layout of settlements over time and artifacts from 19-FR-303 include an undrilled better links with geological studies on alluvial atl-at! weight, while materials from 19-FR-1 are deposition. A clearer definition of pre­ said to include Late Archaic artifacts including Woodland occupation locations and the raw Small Stemmed points (Holmes et al. 1991: 72­ material types utilized might help us inch 73). Testing by UMass at 19-FR-303 in 2005 and toward a better understanding of trade and 2007 include Small Stemmed points, pottery transportation, and associated changes in social and several hearths that are yet to be dated. organization.

Clearly, the Connecticut River served as a Interested researchers are urged to contact the transportation corridor for many thousands of author at <:[email protected]>. years. The cache of partially reduced rhyolite

References

Binzen, Tunothy 2005 The Turners Falls Site: An Early Paleoindian Presence in the Connecticut Valley. Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society66(2):46-57. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 71 Curran, Mary Lou 1984 The Whipple Site and Paleoindian Tool Assemblage Variation: A Comparison of Intrasite Structuring. ArchaeologyofEastern North America 12: 5-40. Dincauze, Dena F. and Stuart Eldridge 1984 Prehistoric Cultural Resources in Northfield: A Conservation Handbook. Report by the Department of Anthropology at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, on file with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston. Donta, Christopher L. 2005 Connecticut River 2000: Archaeological Intensive (Locational) Survey of Eight Parcels for the Connecticut River Bank Stabilization Project, Montague, Gill, and Northfield, Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts Archaeological Services Report UM-320, on file with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston. Donta, Christopher L. and F. Timothy Barker 2006 Connecticut River 2005: Archaeological Survey (Phase IB) of Three Parcels for the Connecticut River Bank Stabilization Project, Gill and Northfield, Massachusetts, and Vernon, Vemlont. University of Massachusetts Archaeological Services Report UM-508, on file with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston. Donta, Christopher L. and Mitchell T. Mulholland 1997 Archaeological Intensive (Locational) Survey of Five Parcels for the Connecticut River Bank Stabilization Project, Gill and Northfield, Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts Archaeological Services Report UM-225, on file with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston. Holmes, Richard D., Mitchell T. Mulholland, and Carolyn D. Hertz 1991 Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey for the Proposed Riverbank Erosion Control Study, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. University of Massachusetts Archaeological Services Report UM-118, on file with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston. Pollock, Stephen G., Nathan D. Hamilton, and Richard A. Boisvert 2008 Archaeological Geology of Two Flow-Banded Spherulitic Rhyolites in New England, USA: Their History, Exploitation and Criteria for Recognition. Journal ofArchaeological Science 35:688-703. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2011 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 72 Badley and Boudreau: Paleolndian Sites and Finds in Southeast MA Additional PaleoIndian Sites and Finds in Southeast Massachusetts

James W. Bradley and Jeff Boudreau

Introduction

While the available literature suggests that, aside from the well-known Wapanucket #8 site, there is little evidence for a Paleoindian presence in Southeast Massachusetts, this impression is incorrect. Re-examination of older collections, plus recently reported finds, indicate that both fluted points and Late Paleolndian non-fluted forms occur frequently across the region.

Fluted Point Sites and Isolated Finds

Although fluted point sites remain rare in Figure 1. Fluted point sites and isolated finds Southeast Massachusetts, the evidence for them is growing. At least three localities south of the same buff to light gray Normanskill chert, often Boston Basin have produced sufficient evidence with a greenish tint, that characterized the to be considered likely Paleolndian sites. In majority of the Locus #8 Paleolndian artifacts. addition to these, three well-documented isolated finds are reported here (Figure 1). One of the tips (#8-1424) is ground on the distal end and appears to have suffered a hinge The Wapanucket site. A recent reassessment of fracture failure during the attempt to flute the the Wapanucket site in Middleboro indicated reverse side. It is 3.4 em in length, 2.7 em wide that at least two Paleo components were and .4 em thick. A second tip (#8-1884) is not present. These include Locus #8, which has ground and appears to have been the result of a produced an assemblage that is snap fracture. It is 2.1 cm in length, 2.4 em wide morphologically similar to that from Bull and .6 em thick. This piece shows no evidence Brook, and the 'Beach locus', which remains of fluting. The third tip (#8-7415) is also not poorly understood (Bradley and Boudreau ground and appears to have been snapped off. 2006b). Ongoing collections work at the On the observe side, fluting extends off the tip; Robbins Museum has recently uncovered the reverse side is not fluted. It is 1.8 em long, 2 additional Paleolndian material from Locus #8 em wide and .4 em thiek. This pieee was listed and the Beach as well as one, possibly two, in Bradley and Boudreau 2006b:61 (Table 2, #9) Paleo components from Locus #2. but with an incorrect catalog number.

Locus #8. Six additional artifacts from Locus #8 The first of the channel flakes (#8-1269) is a include three biface tips and three channel midsection 3.5 em long, 1.8 em wide and .2 em flakes (Figure 2, next page). These pieces are thick. It is notable for two reasons. One is the consistent with the specimens described presence of a previous flute on the dorsal previously and provide new details on the style surface, evidence that the point from which it of fluting used by the Paleolndians who was detached was the subject of composite occupied Locus #8. All six are made from the fluting. Second, this channel flake fragment also Copyright © 2008 James W. Bradley and Jeff Boudreau BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSEITS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 73 Beach Locus. The Paleo­ Indian presence at the Beach locus remains poorly defined, in large part because most of the diagnostic artifacts have been re-deposited. How- ever, artifacts continue to be found. An example is a large, prismatic blade recently found by a local resident (Figure 3). The blade is 10.4 ern long, 4.5 em wide and 2.1 em thick. lt is made of Wakefield "salt and pepper" felsite, with its distinctive mix of white and Figure 2. Additional channel flakes and point tips from black phenocrysts. This Wapanueket Loeus #8 blade appears to have been detached from a larger core appears to have been reused as a cutting tool. and also shows the flake scars of two smaller The second channel flake (#8-1086) is also a previous removals. Although not as diagnostic midsection fragment. It is 2.1 em long, 1.2 em as a fluted point, blades of this size and style are wide and .2 ern thick. Unlike the previous distinctive PaleoIndian artifacts (Collins 2002). example, this piece was detached as a first flute, as evidenced by the remnant of a medial Locus #2. While examining several boxes of ridge of the dorsal side. The last channel flake artifacts excavated by Arnold Staples in 1953, (#8-2227) is the most informative. This is the Boudreau noticed the presence of five unifacial proximal end of channel flake with a tools. Checking these against the excavation significant portion of the platform still intact. It records, we realized that they had been found in is 2.4 em long, 1.2 ern wide and .3 em thick. Locus #2, on the opposite side of the This piece reveals a great deal about how the Wapanucket site from Locus #8 (Figure 4). biface was prepared for fluting. As with the Further investigation indicated that these pieces previous example, a distinct medial ridge is were found in two different sections within present. This served as a guide for the flute. Locus #2, roughly 50 m apart. The platform itself shows careful, almost obsessive, preparation. In addition to being Two of the unifaces were recovered from Section isolated and ground, a series of five micro­ A (Figure 5 A & E, next page). One is a large, flakes, each 1mm across, define the remaining thick endscraper (#2800) with small but distinct portion of the platform's proximal end. lateral spurs. It is 4 em long, 4.5 em wide and 1.2 ern thick and appears to have been made from a The evidence for the use of ground tips, large blade. There is a distinct arris down the composite fluting and carefully engineered center of the piece. There is also some fine platforms add a significant dimension to our bifacial retouch along the right side. It is made understanding of the PaleoIndian component of red Munsungun chert. The second uniface is at Locus #8. Taken together, these pieces a flake knife or scraper. It is 4.9 em long, 2.9 em suggest that the fluted points are transitional wide and .6 em thick, and is also red between Early PaleoIndian Bull Brook-West Munsungun chert. It appears to have been Athens Hill style and the Mid PaleoIndian made from a large bifacial thinning flake and MichaUd-Neponset style (Bradley et al2008). shows some bifacial reworking towards the tip. 74 Badley and Boudreau: Paleolndian Sites and Finds in Southeast MA The other three unifaces were found in Section B (Figure 5 C, B & D). One is a large, thick endscraper (#2074) with distinct lateral spurs. Although similar in form to the example from Section A, this artifact was probably made from a large bifacial thinning flake and is a patinated gray felsite with glassy quartz phenocrysts, probably from the Blue Hills area. This piece is 3.3 em long, 3.4 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick. The second uniface is another large ovate endscraper (#2040) made from a regional felsite. Also made from a large bifacial thinning flake, it is 5.3 cm long, 3.5 cm wide and 1.3 cm thick. The lithic material is a heavily patinated gray felsite with white phenocrysts, probably from the Lynn-Newbury series on the north side of the Boston Basin. The last piece is a unifacial flake knife or scraper (#2865) of red Munsungun chert. Made from a bifacial thinning flake, it is 3.7 cm long, 2.1 cm wide and .7 cm thick.

Figure 3. Prismatic blade from the Beach Although these artifacts are not as diagnostic as locus fluted points, they do suggest an additional

B t

G GARAGE • BOUND • HOUSE ~ OWL SWAMP 12 PREVIOUSLY EXCAVATED o METERS T TEST

Figure 4. The Wapanucket site. Open circles in Sections A and B of Locus #2 indicate the location of PaleoIndian material. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 75 The Ponkapoag area. Several probable PaleoIndian artifacts have been reported from the area around Ponkapoag Pond in Canton, MA. Most of these were recovered during MAS­ sponsored fieldwork from 1962 to 1966, and again between

B 1973 and 1975 (Martin 1977). A Several artifacts from those excavations are discussed here. The first is a series of at least four spurred end-scrapers. Martin describes some of these as made of exotic chert or

o lilmm~ jasper; others appear to be local felsite (ibid. pp. 59, 69 Figure 22. E, G, J and K). Unfortunately, we have not Figure 5. PaleoIndian unifaces from Locus #2 been able to locate these specimens in the collections at Early PaleoIndian presence at Wapanucket, one the Robbins Museum. However, two other unlike that at Locus #8. Not only are the lithic probable PaleoIndian artifacts, not reported by preferences different, the overall form of these Martin, have survived. These include a tools is more robust than those recovered at unifacial side scraper (N17-E10A) made of Locus #8. Prior to fieldwork by the MAS, the Saugus jasper and a large backed knife (S3-E21) Middleboro Archaeological Society conducted of Wakefield felsite (Figure 6, left). The side extensive digging at Locus #2 during the 1940s. scraper is 7.5 em long, 3.8 em wide and .9 em Artifacts from those excavations still turn up thick. Made from a spall of Saugus jasper, a and, with luck, we may still learn more about natural cleavage plane defines the backside. the PaleoIndian occupation at Locus #2. The backed knife is a deceptively simple­ looking implement. It is 10.9 em long, 6 em The Annasnappet Pond area. In her recent wide and .9 em thick. Made from a large flake dissertation on Middle Archaic components at or spall, it was carefully trimmed to remove the Annasnappet Pond in Carver, MA, Dianna bulb of percussion and regularize both the Doucette also noted the presence of two shape and thickness. As a result, though PaleoIndian artifacts (2003:86,91-92). One was bifacially trimmed, this is still esentially a the proximal end of a channel flake made of unifacial tool. The entire circumference of this Saugus jasper. Doucette notes the platform had implement shows use although the edge angle been carefully prepared by grinding and and degree of retouch vary considerably. This isolating a small area where the force of the suggests to us that this piece was a multi­ blow could be struck. She also reports that a purpose tool, one that could be used for a small fluted point, also of Saugus jasper, was variety of cutting and scraping purposes. found in the same area by a local collector. Similar backed knives have been reported This point appears to be a re-tipped base elsewhere in New England. For a comparable approximately 2.8 cm long and 2 em wide. It example and discussion, see the Sawtelle biface has a shallow basal concavity and slight basal (Bradley 2007:14-15). Similar tools, also made ears. Stylistically, this point could comfortably of regional felsites, have also been found at the fit into the Bull Brook assemblage. Bull Brook site (Figure 6, right). 76 Badley and Boudreau: Paleolndian Sites and Finds in Southeast MA One additional artifact confirms the presence of coarse-grained regional felsite, possibly PaleoIndians in the Ponkapoag area. This is a from the Blue Hills. late stage biface that failed during an attempt to • The Hallett Point, Mansfield. This spec­ flute the obverse side. It was found near tacular point was found by Leaman Hallett Ponkapoag by William Bowman and appears to near the site of a new sewage treatment be made from the local Blue Hills felsite. This plant then under construction. It is 8.8 ern piece is 4.2 em long and 2.7 em wide, and has long, 2.6 em wide and .6 em thick. Both been described briefly by Bill Hallaren (1988:33, sides are fluted by well-placed single flutes. Plate 22, left). Although the lithic material is On the obverse, the flute appears to have different, the shape of this piece and the type of extended off the tip of the point; on the overshot failure that caused its discard are quite reverse, the flute extends nearly to the tip. similar to several of the fluting failures from the There is no evidence of composite fluting. nearby Neponset site (Carty and Spiess 1992). This point has prominent basal ears, heavy grinding along the basal edges and a deep Isolated Finds. Three fluted points have also basal concavity that has been carefully been reported from Southeast Massachusetts trimmed out. It is made of a brown to buff (Figure 7, next page). chert with blueI gray mottling and may be a • The Taylor point, West Bridgewater. This variety of the western New York Onondaga small, robust point, possibly are-tipped chert. The tip appears to have been base, was found by David Taylor in 1977 on snapped off in antiquity and use wear a site in West Bridgewater near the (extensive rounding) suggests this piece was Hockomock River. It is 4.7 em long, 2.8 em reused as a knife or scraper. With its long wide and .7cm thick. It has short flutes on gracile form, precise fluting and prominent each sides, distinct basal ears and well­ basal ears, this point is an excellent example defined basal grinding. It is made of a of the Mid PaleoIndian Michaud-Neponset form.

Figure 6. Backed knife from Ponkapoag, left. Similar biface (#1480) from the Bull Brook site, right, courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum. Both of made of Wakefield felsite. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 77

A B c o o o ~ ~mmg .,. I/) -'·1·'··~ ._.,~..•...-.•... -··1····~ --.....~ I 11111111/1111111 I 111I1I11111111111

Figure 7. The Taylor, Hallett and Hall fluted points.

• The Hall Point, Narragansett Bay drainage. is from the John Richardson collection. This small, delicate fluted point represents Made from an end thinning flake, it is 4.3 the opposite end of the Michaud-Neponset em long, 2.7 cm wide and .5 em thick. While size gradient. Found by Milton Hall during there is a well defined endscraper at the the early 20th century, this point (#267) is distal end, this piece has fine retouch along from somewhere in the northeastern virtually all its edges. At present, the Hall portion of the Narragansett Bay drainage. point and this uniface are among the very It is 3.5 cm long, 2.2 cm wide and only .3 cm few PaleoIndian artifacts reported from the thick. It is fluted on both sides. Here again, upper Narragansett drainage. the flute extends off the tip of the point on the obverse. On the reverse, the fluted Late PaleoIndian Sites and Isolated Finds hinged out roughly halfway down the piece. Slight basal ears are present and only A significant number of unfluted, Late hints of grinding. The lithic material is a PaleoIndian points have also been recovered platy gray green chert, possibly Norman­ from Southeast Massachusetts. The majority of skill. While it tempting to say that this is a these are the thin elongated points with parallel reworked piece, careful examination sides that have often been referred to as "Eden" indicates that this point, like the Dakin's points (Fowler 1972; MHC 1984:58-59). These Brook point from Concord, MA, was made are now more appropriately termed Ste. Anne­ to be this size (Bradley 2007:12-13). Varney points (Bradley et al. 2008:156). Six site areas where these points have been found, as Though less distinctive, another Paleo­ well as six isolated finds, are reported here Indian artifact of Normanskill chert has also (Figure 8). The large lanceolate points been reported from the Ten Mile River frequently called "Plano" points are the other drainage. This modest unifacial endscraper Late PaleoIndian style previously reported from 78 Badley and Boudreau: Paleolndian Sites and Finds in Southeast MA Southeast Massachusetts (Bradley and Boudreau 2006a). The preferred name for these :/\ is now Agate Basin-related points. These \ points occur less often than Ste. Anne-Varney \ points; one example is reported here. ) The Ponkapoag Area, Canton. In addition to the Paleolndian artifacts described above, several Late PaleoIndian points were recovered A during the MAS excavations at Ponkapoag. \I These include one Agate Basin-related point ~ and three Ste. Anne-Varney points (Figure 9). B The Agate Basin-related point is 9.8 cm long, 3.5 cm wide at midsection and 2 cm wide at the base. It is unground and appears to have snapped during final thinning. It appears to be made of local Blue Hills felsite and is very similar to examples previously reported from Colt llnwnll t :I 0 Southeast MA (Bradley and Boudreau 2006a). ~i~-li~f:rU While Martin illustrates this point (1977:69, Figure 22 B), we have not been able to locate it Figure 9. Late PaleoIndian points from in the surviving collection from the site. Ponkapoag. abandoned after it proved impossible to thin it On the other hand, while Martin illustrates two further. This point is important in that it Ste. Anne-Varney bases from the Ponkapoag indicates the shaping process started at the basal excavations (1977:69, Figure 22 C and D), we (proximal) end and then continued towards the identified three examples in the collection. Two tip. The second unfinished point (N2-W5A) is of these appear to be unfinished points. The made from Blue Hill River felsite and may have first (N3W4A) is 7.3 cm long, 1.9 cm wide and snapped during thinning. It is 4.7 cm long, 2.6 1.2 cm thick. Made of a coarse volcanic, cm wide and .9 cm thick, and shows even less probably from a local source, this point was evidence of finishing than the previous example. The final point (N3-W8) is a finely made base of gray quartzite. It is 5.1 em long, 2 cm wide and .5 cm thick. It Ponkapoa~ .- eymouth has some grinding along the lower lateral edges and base. Henderson-•• -North River The North River Eden Site, Marshfield. Hallaren reports a large assemblage of Ste. Anne-Varney style points, (at least nine bases) plus a range of other tools including drills, unifacial and bifacial scrapers as well as preforms, from a site along the North River in Marshfield (Hallaren 1988:19-22, Plates 1-3). All the points have straight, parallel sides, flat squared-off bases and have been snapped off between 2 em and 4 em from the base. Hallaren describes the predominant lithic

Figure 8. Late PaleoIndian sites and isolated finds. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 79 material as Marblehead felsite, which 1.8 cm wide and .6 cm thick and made from a apparently is found in cobbles near the site, porphyritic felsite, probably from the with Blue Hills felsite also present. Grarnly and Marblehead series. The third point from the Eel Finneran (2003) have published a second report River was found by Eric Lott. It is a smaller, on this complex, multi-component, site. In possibly uncompleted, point 7.2 cm long, 2.3 cm 2004/ PAL, Inc. conducted a survey of this site wide and .5 cm thick. It is made from a fine (19-PL-348) and recovered some evidence of grained felsite. Although carefully shaped, this Late PaleoIndian occupation (Ives and Ritchie point lacks fine pressure flaking along the edge 2004). Clearly, this was an important site, and shows no evidence of grinding. comparable to the Varney Farm in terms of the quantity and range of artifacts recovered. We The Titicut site, Bridgewater. This site is well hope that, at some point, a more complete known from the extensive excavations report will be available. sponsored by the MAS during the 1950s. Less well known/ but of equal importance, was the Annasnappet Pond, Carver. As with the concurrent fieldwork conducted by Fred Johnson Ponkapoag area, excavations at Assasnappet on behalf of the R. S. Peabody Museum of Pond have produced evidence of Late Archaeology in Andover. While Johnson PaleoIndian occupation in addition to the prepared an excellent draft report Gohnson fluted point described above. Doucette 1953)/ it was never published due to funding reported two fragmentary Ste. Anne-Varney constraints. Among the many important points from Locus 1. These include a base recoveries were one, and possibly two/ Ste. made of Attleboro Red felsite and a mid-section Anne-Varney bases. The first (#173/21861) was made from a volcanic visually similar to recovered 38 cm below the surface at the Hingham felsite (Doucette 2003:91/ and Figure junction with the underlying yellow subsoil. It is 3-6). Both fragments appear to be from small 5.3 cm long, 1.7 cm wide and .5 cm thick. It is points approximately 1.5 ern wide. made from a heavily weathered, fine grained

Eel River Area, Plymouth. Three Ste. Anne­ Varney points have been found along the Eel River in Plymouth and may all be from the same site (Figure 10). The first (BR #6925) was found by Charles Sherman. Fowler illustrated this piece in his 1972 article on "Eden" points and noted that it was found in two pieces "in the yellow sandy subsoil, about three inches up from the underlying white sand"(1972:29, and Figure 14/ #1). The late Fred Carty examined this point in 1980 during the MHC survey of the Bronson Museum collections, and identified the lithic material as Blue Hill River felsite. This point is 10.7 ern long, 2.1 cm wide and .8 cm thick. It shows some evidence of grinding along the lower lateral edges and its slightly rounded base. The distal end appears to have been reworked at least once. Sherman appears to have found a second point in the same area around 1969/ although the record on this piece ... . . is less complete. This finely made point is ·-I.ut~ IiT J-~jiJ iiiIT snapped off just above the base, and appears to have had slight shoulders. It is 10.3 ern long, Figure 10. Late PaleoIndian points from the Eel River area. Note base on right is restored. 80 Badley and Boudreau: Paleolndian Sites and Finds in Southeast MA felsite, possibly a variety of the "Melrose Green" from a heavily patinated Boston Basin that occurs in the Middlesex Fells. The second felsite, possibly Saugus jasper or Melrose piece (#173/22179) was found in the loam and is green. Hallaren mentions this point but also a snapped off base. It is 5.8 cm long, 3.2 does not illustate it (1988:31). wide and .7cm thick. Made from a light gray • The Trotta Point, Norwell. This point was quartzite, this piece is characterized by superior found at the Henderson Site (Figure 12 C). quality workmanship that resulted in a perfect It is a finely made midsection 6.3 cm long, lenticular cross-section, parallel flaking and 2.5 cm wide and .7 cm thick. Although very fine edge control. Although this piece is broken, this piece also has distinct, if slight, unusually large for a Ste. Anne-Varney point, shoulders at the place where the point the overall form and quality of the work suggest snapped. It is made from a fine grade of it is of Late PaleoIndian origin. Blue Hill River felsite. • The Benson Point. This nearly complete The Wapanucket site, Middleboro, At least four point was found at the Swan Hold site in Ste. Anne-Varney bases have been recovered Carver (Figure 12 D). Fowler describes its from Wapanucket (Figure 11). All have been recovery noting that it was located "at a snapped off near or below mid-section. Two depth of 19 inches below the loam" in have catalog numbers that suggest they were yellow, sandy subsoil (1976:52). Fowler also recovered from Locus #8; the other two appear illustrated this point (ibid. p. 49, Figure 9, to have been found at the Beach locus. The two #5) which is virtually identical to the first examples from Locus #8 were photographed point recovered by Sherman along the Eel and recorded by Fred Carty in 1980. The first is River. Found in three cross-mending pieces, #8-2320 - a base 4.1 cm long and 2.1 cm wide, this point has well defined parallel sides and made of Blue Hill River felsite. The second and a flat base. Fowler estimates that it is is #8-3516 -a base 3.4 em long and 1.7 em wide, missing roughly 1"(2.5 cm) of its tip. It is made from a heavily weathered light tan/gray approximately 3 3/4" (9.5 em) long and 5/ felsite. We also examined the two specimens 8" (1.5 cm) wide, and made of a "medium" from the Beach locus. Both are labeled "8-B" grade felsite and were listed in Robbins' Wapanucket • The Hawes Point. This basal fragment was monograph (1980:285). The first is a finely found at the Hawes site in Lakeville (Figure made base 3.7 cm long, 1.7 cm wide and .45 cm 12 A). It appears to be an unfinished Ste. thick. It is made from a glossy black chert and has light grinding along the lower lateral edges. The second base has similar dimensions - 1.4 cm long, 1.7 cm wide and .4 cm thick. It too is made from a glossy dark gray chert. The base of this point shows more damage but no evidence of grinding.

Isolated Finds. In addition to the examples reported by Fowler (1972), at least six other Ste. Anne-Varney style points have been reported from Southeast Massachusetts (Figure 12, next page). o 2mm~ o o • The Back River Point, Weymouth. This o .. III • .. 10 " " .. distal fragment was found in the mid 1960s _..... -1-" .... - -+... _..... IIIII111I1 IIIIII I I,I~,I,I,I,~ II II at a depth of 24 inches (Figure 12 B). It is 7.7 cm long, 2 cm wide and has slight shoulders. The base is missing and the tip Figure 11. Late PaleoIndian points shows evidence of rounding. It is made from the Wapanucket site BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 81

Figure 12. Late PaleoIndian isolated finds: The Anne-Varney point that may have Hawes point (A), The Back River point (B), The Trotta snapped during pressure flaking. It point (C), The Benson point (D). is 3.2 cm long, 1.9 cm wide and .4 cm ,'...., thick. It is made was Blue Hills , . ," \ \ felsite. i \ , \ • The Peddie Point. This point was : ~ found by Anne Peddie while digging ,: I. ,I in the sand at Crescent Beach in ,I Mattapoisett in 1979 (Figure 13 C). It is a large Ste. Anne-Varney point with a broken base. It is 9.6 em long, A 1.8 cm wide and .8 cm thick, and is made from a fine quality brown chert, possibly from eastern New York. The tip is rounded and this piece may have been used as a drill. • The Miller Point. This small midsection fragment from a Ste. Anne-Varney point was found by Joanne Miller along the Taunton River in Berkeley, MA. (Figure 13 A). It is 2.3 cm long, 1.9 cm wide and .6 cm thick. It is made from a dull B c o o ~ gmm ~ ~ ~ brown chert visually similar to that .. .. . used at the Varney Farm site in -.- ,TIl -j" -j ..- lill, ._. m',;m Maine. 7\ / \ l

o ~mm o o o .. l=: ., III

B c Figure 13. Additional Late PaleoIndian isolated finds. The Miller point fragment (A) and Peddie point (C) compared with outlines of points from Varney Farm (B). 82 Badley and Boudreau: Paleolndian Sites and Finds in Southeast MA Conclusions specimens in existing collections will come to light and help us fill in the picture of While the primary purpose of this article has Massachusetts' earliest people. been to report rather than analyze, a few concluding comments are in order. In terms of Acknowledgements both fluted and unfluted points, it is clear that there was a stronger PaleoIndian presence in We would like to thank all those who provided Southeast Massachusetts than usually has been information and comments as we prepared this assumed. While lithics from distant sources article, especially those who allowed us to report such as New York's Hudson Valley and the on specimens in their collections. These include Munsungun formation in Maine predominate, Bill Bowman, Dianna Doucette, Curtiss the PaleoIndians who made fluted points also Hoffman, Greg and Eric Lott, Bill Taylor, Bob experimented with and used regionallithics as Trotta, and Eugene Winter. Our thanks also to well. During La te Paleolndian times, the the R. S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology in situation was reversed - while some Ste. Anne­ Andover, MA for permission to cite Fred Varney points made of chert have been found, Johnson's manuscript report on the Titicut site, the majority of are made from regional felsites and to the Peabody Essex Museum for and quartzites. It is our hope that, by calling permission to reproduce a photograph of the attention to these artifacts, additional felsite biface from the Bull Brook site.

References

Bradley, James W. 2007 PaleoIndian Sites and Finds in the Lower Merrimac Drainage Bulletin ofthe Massachusetts ArchaeologicalSociety 68(1):12-20. Bradley, James W., and Jeff Boudreau 2006a Unusual PaleoIndian Points from Southeast Massachusetts. Bulletin ofthe Massachusetts ArchaeologicalSociety 67(1):36-39. 2006b Re-assessing Wapanucket: Paleolndians in Southeast MA. Bulletin ofthe Massachusetts Archaeological Society 67(2):59-72. Bradley, James W., Arthur E. Spiess, Richard A. Boisvert, and Jeff Boudreau 2008 What's the Point? Modal Forms and Attributes of Paleolndian Bifaces in the New England­ Maritimes Region. Archaeology ofEastern North America 36:**. Collins, Michael B. 2002 Clovis Blade Technology. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. Doucette, Dianna L. 2003 Unraveling Middle Archaic Expressions: A Multidisciplinary Approach Towards Feature and Material Culture Recognition in Southeastern New England. Doctoral dissertation, Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Fowler, William S. 1972 New Discoveries at Swan Hold. Bulletin ofthe Massachusetts Archaeological Society37(3 and 4):49­ 54. 1976 Eden Points in Massachusetts. Bulletin ofthe Massachusetts Archaeological Sodety33(3 and 4):29­ 31. Grarnly, R. Michael and Joe Finneran 2003 An Occurrence of Late Palaeo-American Lanceolate Points on the North River, MA. The Amateur Archaeologist9(2):29-33. Hallaren, William D. 1988 Prehistoric Indicators from Southeastern Massachusetts, 10,500 to 8,000 years B.P. Scituate Historical Society, Scituate, MA. BULLETIN OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 69(2) 2008 83 Hoffman, Curtiss R 1991 A Handbook ofIndian Artifacts from Southern New England. Massachusetts Archaeological Society Special Publication #4. Middleborough, MA. Ives, TilllOthy H. and Duncan Ritchie 2004 Intensive (Locational) Archaeological Survey, North River Village, Marshfield, Massachusetts. PAL, Inc., Pawtucket, RI. Johnson, Fred 1953 The Titicut Report. Unpublished manuscript. RS. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Andover, MA. Martin, Robert A. 1977 The Ponkapoag Site: M-35-7. Bulletin ofthe Massachusetts Archaeological SOGety 38(3):53-72. Massachusetts Historical Commission 1984 Guide to Prehistoric Site Files andArtifact Classification System. Boston, MA. Robbins, Maurice 1980 Wapanucket, An ArchaeologicalReport. Massachusetts Archaeological Society. Attleboro, MA. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling,loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2011 Massachusetts Archaeological Society. 84

CONTRIBUTORS

JEFF BOUDREAU is a former chairman of the Channet Chapter of the MAS. As a flint knapper, he has conducted replicative studies of quartz Squibnocket points, felsite Neville points and, most recently, various forms of fluted points. He is also the official MAS photographer.

JAMES W. BRADLEY is president ofArchLink and has written extensively on archaeological topics across the Northeast. He is current editor of the MAS Bulletin.

CHRISTOPHER L. OONTA has conducted more than 200 archaeological projects across the Northeast for the Department of Archaeology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has also worked in the American Southwest and in the Kodiak Island region of southern Alaska.

MARK LANCE is a Project Archaeologist at PAL, Inc. His academic and professional experience spans fifteen years of archaeological work in the Bahamas, Great Britain and Europe as well as the Southeast and Midwest in the United States.

ALAN D. LEVEILLEE is a Senior Archaeologist at PAL, Inc. He is a frequent contributor to the Bulletin.

WILLIAM B. TAYLOR is a long-time member of the MAS. He has been an ardent collector of Indian artifacts in the Titicut area for more than sixty years. HOT OFF THE PRESS: The Most Complete, Full-Color Handbook of ew I::ngland IYrojectile Point 1}'pes bel' IYroduced.

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